Unidentified drones near Germany’s Munich International Airport on Thursday night forced the closure of runways and the cancellation of 17 flights.
German outlet Der Spiegel reported, citing federal police, that several witnesses reported spotting a drone near the airport, followed by additional reports of drones flying directly over the airport area. It remains unclear whether there was one drone or multiple devices.
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State and federal police patrolled the area overnight in search of drones and possible suspects, but found nothing.
However, the airport reopened on Friday, Oct. 3, according to Reuters. A flight from Bangkok was the first to land at 5.25 a.m. (0325 UTC), while passengers were seen checking in for flights, including one to Varna, Bulgaria. By then, only a handful of cancellations remained on the departure board.
Airport officials said several drone sightings late Thursday forced air traffic control to suspend operations, leading to the cancellation of 17 flights and disrupting travel for nearly 3,000 passengers, who were provided with camp beds, blankets, and food.
Another 15 incoming flights were diverted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt.
A police spokesperson told Bild newspaper that the drones were spotted above the airport late in the evening, but due to the darkness, their size and type could not be determined. Police have not yet commented further.
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The incident comes amid a series of suspicious drone flights across northern and central Europe. On Sept. 26, drones were recorded over strategic sites in Schleswig-Holstein, including a shipyard in Kiel, a university clinic, a power plant, the state parliament building, and even an oil refinery.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has since declared an “increased threat to German security” and announced the creation of a national counter-drone center. Meanwhile, the Bundestag is drafting a law that would allow the armed forces to shoot down drones, even those distant from military facilities.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has called for urgent EU action, criticizing leaders for failing to protect airports and strategic sites.
Unidentified drone flights have also been reported in Poland and Scandinavia. On Sept. 9, Russian drones entered Polish airspace, and on Sept. 19, three Russian MiG-31 fighter-bombers flew in Estonian skies for 12 minutes in what officials described as the most serious airspace violation in two decades.
On Sept. 27, drones were spotted near Norway’s Erland Air Base - home to F-35 fighters and recent NATO exercises - and over several airports in Denmark, including Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skridstrup Air Base.
European leaders from NATO nations agreed Wednesday to boost the bloc’s defenses against drones at a summit in Copenhagen, days after unmanned aircraft disrupted Danish airspace.
Authorities across Europe have accused Russia of repeated violations, including drones over Poland and Sukhoi warplanes entering Estonian airspace.
“Europe must be able to defend itself,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, calling for greater production of drones and anti-drone systems, along with a European-wide network to “protect and neutralize intrusion from outside.”
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned: “Russia tries to test us. But Russia also tries to sow division and anxiety in our societies. We will not let this happen.”
She has championed a “drone wall” - a network of sensors and weapons to detect, track, and neutralize hostile aircraft - an idea NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte this week called “timely and necessary.”
The recent incursion into Poland exposed Europe’s gaps in drone defense, forcing NATO to engage fighters, helicopters, and Patriot air defenses.
“Russia will continue and we have to be ready,” said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
Moscow has denied responsibility, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissing Europe’s proposals: “As history has shown, erecting walls is always a bad thing.”
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